STRYPER UPDATE

From melodicrock.com

STRYPER REBORN WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM:
Renowned Christian pop-metal band returns with first all-new studio project in 15 years.
Some remember Stryper as the frenetic "yellow and black attack" that stormed the music scene two decades ago, transforming the pop-metal genre from the inside out. Others recall a groundbreaking foursome that resolutely declared an inspiring message of spiritual redemption, becoming a cornerstone on which countless lives were changed.
Today the legendary quartet is back and burning hotter than ever with intensified levels of zeal, resolve and innovation. With three original band mates (lead vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox) and newcomer Tracy Ferrie on bass, Stryper now releases its first all-new studio effort since 1990's Against the Law project.
Reborn, Stryper's ninth career disc and premier release on Big3 Records, features a cavalcade of high-voltage arrangements that showcase the band's richly melodic vocals, deft instrumentation and powerful themes. In addition, the disc proficiently melds the group's standard intensely tuneful style with edgy hard rock influences. The net effect: An 11-track set demanding reverence, repeated spins and a volume level that is cranked full-on. Produced by Michael Sweet and Kenny Lewis (who collaborated with Sweet on several solo projects), Reborn debuts entirely new material, with two bonus songs?a Stryperized version of Amazing Grace re-titled 10,000 Years and an updated rendition of the group's classic track In God We Trust ? that should rouse both longtime and new fans alike.
So how did the current disc come into existence? It started nearly two years ago when all four original members of Stryper reassembled and embarked on a rewarding 20th anniversary tour. That led to 7 Weeks: Live in America, a 2004 release compiled from reunion performances in major cities around the nation. Shortly thereafter, following an amicable parting with original bassist Tim Gaines, the band picked up Ferrie and played a fall 2004 encore show at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This event triggered a demand for a new record when it came to plans for the future.
"The show at Disney went so well and felt so fresh?it was like we were a totally new band," explains frontman Michael Sweet. "It was such an incredible experience for all of us, and we knew something was happening that would go beyond one performance."
Returning home, Sweet and the other band mates promptly sensed they should consider recording a new album. From there, a central concept ultimately took shape. "The word 'reborn' communicates so much from a spiritual perspective," Sweet says. "It really speaks to how we feel as a band right now. This is a whole new time for us, and we're excited."
Beyond the core theme of renewal, Reborn embraces subjects like forgiveness (If I Die), God's patience (Wait for You) and true enlightenment (Open Your Eyes). One hard-driving song in particular, When Did I See You Cry, conveys the reality that God can move in anyone's life, whether homeless, addicted to drugs or simply wandering. "The power of God is alive, but we often miss it," Sweet asserts. "We see opportunities to share the gospel, but we are so caught up in other things of life that we get sidetracked."
Stryper has dealt with its share of sidetracks and difficulties over the years. From its origin as Roxx Regime, a garage outfit from Orange County, California, the band persevered as they hammered out a name and a reputation in the gritty Los Angeles club circuit. The hard work paid off in 1984 when the quartet inked a deal with Enigma Records and released debut mini-album The Yellow and Black Attack.
As the first Christian rock band to enjoy any decided success in the mainstream market, Stryper went on to sell more than 8 million records worldwide. The group's RIAA certified platinum 1986 release To Hell with the Devil was selected as one of the "100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music" by CCM Magazine. The project also generated the Billboard Top 40 hit "Honestly," which peaked at #23.
Two other albums struck RIAA gold: Soldiers Under Command (1985) and In God We Trust (1988), both spending numerous weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart.
One of the most electrifying stage acts from the 1980s, Stryper garnered heavy airplay on MTV and VH1. The band also received notable coverage in Rolling Stone, Time, Spin, Newsweek and numerous other publications, cementing their legacy as the iconoclasts of pop-metal.
Fittingly, Stryper should be in for a deluge of renewed exposure and acclaim. But Michael Sweet would just as soon turn the spotlight on someone else. "The one theme that is woven into every song on our new album is this: Look to Jesus," he says adamantly. "Some people may get tired of hearing this, but we feel God has called us to share the message of Christ's love, mercy and grace. He's always there no matter what, and that's what we will proclaim until we die."

Argghh!!!!! Fffffuuuucccckkkkiiitttt! Bad grammar,
coupled with over-long paragraphs, coupled with
dull illiteracy. Shit, shit, shit. And Christians
as well. They should be ashamed.

Lovely blokes, of course,

D.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 11, 2005 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Deviant D ]</font>

Innn the end of the day....that is

D.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Who Fucking cares? Only the egocentric tossers making the record! For christ sake, what do you think of when you think of Striper? Yes exactly!
The dress sense of a railway siding and a sideways drum kit. Gimmick Gimmick.!
Why, in the name of greek buggery, would anyone re write Amazing Grace? What is the point being made here?...other than to underline an obvious lack of original and credible matarial. when will America wake up to the fact that spirituality is a personal thing. Not everyone wants to play for the Red Sox but it don't mean they don't want to play baseball at all. Maybe they want to play for another team or even their own team. The U.S needs to stop simply assuming that everyone wants to play on their ever increasingly fundementalist team. I'll tell you this. I'm more scared of the this crazy puritain, blinkered, fire and brimstone attitude coming out of the States than I am of any bunch of Muslims. Utterly mind boggling.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:14 AM: Message edited by: IH Rich Rags ]</font>

My new band SINNERS REPENT will be playing at Holy Road Church Bakewell a week on Sunday, show starts at 7.30pm prompt, there will be Tea and Biscuits served during the interval

New single - Noah you can't park that here available now

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 04:46 AM: Message edited by: Johnny B ]</font></font>

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 05:13 AM: Message edited by: Johnny B ]</font>

What label are you on?

Thankyou for showing an interest in my new project, RED SEA is the label you are looking for but we may be parting company with them soon

I've always wondered how people could see them as a serious band in the U.S... they've always been a joke to me. They dressed like bees and sang about Jesus... that's as ridiculous as dressing as knights and singing about satan!

LOL Thats why my band are different we dress as Satan and sing about Bees

Its all bollocks Stryper saw a niche and went for it end of story

I think some of their music is pretty good, as it
goes.

D.

I just never got to grips with those lyrics sitting on top of that music

Micheal Sweet's solo stuff is just regular rock/
AOR stuff, although he's the biggest Bible-botherer
in the band, I believe. His brother was always more
into cocaine and red Ferraris.

D.

I know whose party I'd rather go to

JESUS BUILT MY HOTROD (gave me a hand with the garden shed too)

Ultimately, though, Ministry are fucking rubbish.
They - hissy fit-ly - re-recorded 'Filth Pig' three
times, and it still sounded shit.

D.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by IH Rich Rags:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
Who Fucking cares? Only the egocentric tossers making the record! For christ sake, what do you think of when you think of Striper? Yes exactly!
The dress sense of a railway siding and a sideways drum kit. Gimmick Gimmick.!
Why, in the name of greek buggery, would anyone re write Amazing Grace? What is the point being made here?...other than to underline an obvious lack of original and credible matarial. when will America wake up to the fact that spirituality is a personal thing. Not everyone wants to play for the Red Sox but it don't mean they don't want to play baseball at all. Maybe they want to play for another team or even their own team. The U.S needs to stop simply assuming that everyone wants to play on their ever increasingly fundementalist team. I'll tell you this. I'm more scared of the this crazy puritain, blinkered, fire and brimstone attitude coming out of the States than I am of any bunch of Muslims. Utterly mind boggling.

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:14 AM: Message edited by: IH Rich Rags ]</font></font>

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<font size="4" face="Arial">I'm detecting some negativity in this post [img]wink.gif[/img]

p.s. FPMSL @ "why in the name of greek buggery" - must try to work that one into a meeting later this week [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 07:29 AM: Message edited by: SJ_Skyline ]</font>

I just think that bands like Stryper exist for all the wrong reasons. I have been following the Supreme courts stance on this issue of seperating church and politics in the USA. Big court cases going on about public buildings displaying copies of the ten commandments on their grounds. The supreme court has deemed that this controvenes the said charters about allowing chruch interfering with politics.

Excuse me? Did I just fall through a worm hole in space or did George Bush just get relected by mobilizing the Mid west bible belt on the ticket that they should vote for him becuase he was a good church going, God fearing christian?
If that isnt bringing church into politics , I don't know what is. Hypocritical MuthaF*****! more like.
Maybe they should stop dicking around about old testement rhetoric and be a bit more concerned about real abuses like that.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 07:46 AM: Message edited by: IH Rich Rags ]</font>

the non-separation of church and state has been going on for a long time now. have you ever had any american paper currency? it says "In God We Trust" right on it. the pledge of allegiance? "one nation, under god" (which was not in the original pledge but added in 1954 to turn it into but a patriotic oath and a public prayer) even John F Kennedy, who some would call the best president the US ever had, was the first catholic to be elected and though in the beginning of his campaign people thought that his religion would work against him, towards the end they were touting him as a "good Irish catholic boy".

now i?m not saying what bush did is right and i?m not saying what he did is wrong, i?m just saying that what he did is nothing new. it?s been happening forever and it will never change. sure on paper you could separate church and state but in common practice you will never separate it.

what i do think is a real abuse is the use, or waste, of tax payer's money to even debate this matter. there are a lot more important things out there then if something like the ten commandments being displayed in a public place.

and to stay on topic, i remember being backstage at a stryper show many a moons ago and robert sweet was absolutely trashed. i did like their soldiers under command and yellow & black attack but other then that, nothing. robert put on a great show too, hell of a drummer. (no pun intended)

My new band The Ten Commandments are commencing the Walk On Water Tour on Sunday, supported by Moses and the Wave breakers.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Johnny B:
LOL Thats why my band are different we dress as Satan and sing about Bees

Its all bollocks Stryper saw a niche and went for it end of story

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<font size="4" face="Arial">LMAO -

'Moses and the Wave Breakers' - sounds doo-wop.

As for church/government: I can't see the secularization
of American politics happening in our lifetime,
but some say LA and New York have been Godless
pits of dispair for years. [img]wink.gif[/img]

D.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Deviant D ]</font>

That is fair comment Mr Creeper. I fully accpept that Bushes angle was nothing knew and, as you point out, was previlent under the command old Joe Kennedy. What I find really annoying is the fact that there is the ridiculous waste of money and time about somthing as petty as the 10 commandments being on show in a public building. Who fucking cares? You do not have to read it, just like you don't have to read the leaflet handed to you outside the subway by some dude saying 'God will save you'

Quote:

---

Originally posted by IH Rich Rags:
What I find really annoying is the fact that there is the ridiculous waste of money and time about somthing as petty as the 10 commandments being on show in a public building. Who fucking cares? You do not have to read it, just like you don't have to read the leaflet handed to you outside the subway by some dude saying 'God will save you'

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<font size="4" face="Arial">i am totally with you on that.

I think I'm going to start a band and name it "Sprinkle Sprinkle and the Sinnerz" and release it on Perris Records. Our first single will be " Rare Treats of Evil Sweets "

Stryper is cool....I like their stuff.

Other notable Christian bands:

Bride
Novella
Hero
Guardian
Red Sea
Fear Not
Holy Soldier
Worlds Apart
Broken Silence
The Brave

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 02:47 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font></font>

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 02:49 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font>

I've always had a great gimmick for a rock band and was going to attempt it myself with other musicians but never got around to doing it....For just $15,000 I'll let you have it and go with it.....haha.

Actually I had the idea ages ago, way before Black Metal became known or way before Manson wore angel wings.......My vision was to have 2guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer in which all instrument players would be dressed in white with their faces ala Black Metal Image...The vocalist dressed up in black priest garb wearing white angel wings...his face painted of Black Metal as well only with short hair.
Instead of lyrics....The band plays...and he sings outta the Bible....hahaha! I think it would work bigtime....lol
The band name I had as well was BE THY NAME.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:02 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font>

Holy Soldier's 1990 debut is fantastic! Musically
and vocally, anyway. If anyone has it on mp3, please
email it. I used to own the vinyl version, but
that perished in the big burglary of '92.

I'm still after Sven Gali's 'Inwire' by the way,
even though 'A Straw Hat Named Raggz' thinks it's naff. [img]wink.gif[/img]

D.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:20 PM: Message edited by: Deviant D ]</font>

Quote:

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Originally posted by A Katt Named Raggz:
I've always had a great gimmick for a rock band and was going to attempt it myself with other musicians but never got around to doing it....For just $15,000 I'll let you have it and go with it.....haha.

Actually I had the idea ages ago, way before Black Metal became known or way before Manson wore angel wings.......My vision was to have 2guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer in which all instrument players would be dressed in white with their faces ala Black Metal Image...The vocalist dressed up in black priest garb wearing white angel wings...his face painted of Black Metal as well only with short hair.
Instead of lyrics....The band plays...and he sings outta the Bible....hahaha! I think it would work bigtime....lol
The band name I had as well was BE THY NAME.

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:02 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font></font>

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<font size="4" face="Arial">There was also a band from Boston, called Sexploitation,
who were doing Manson-esque aesthetic/music shenanigans
a good few years before our Brian came along.

D.

D. I'll rip Sven Gali's Inwire tonight and will send in the morning to ya. As for Holy Soldier I don't own the first one but I have all after that....The ???Train album with song VIRTUE & VICE, and the cover of SHELTER by the Stones. I can do that too if you'd like.
This album was the last with the vocalist, then they got another vocalist who had a very deep voice...was okay but sounded like Crash Test Dummies every now and then...haha.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:39 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font>

I have always liked stryper Michael Sweet has an amazing voice. As for religion I feel it should be available everywhere be it your home, church, school, courthouse well anyhow ya get the gist of the matter if ya dont want nothing to do with it just ignore it...TO EACH THEIR OWN...
K!

D, i've heard of sexploitation. were they any good?

Marcus, have you ever heard of Across The Sky? they are a christian band you might like. modern, not styperish. more of a butch walker vibe to them. i caught them on this christian tv channel around here that i watch every now and then to keep track of the "other folks". check them out, you might like them.

http://www.acrossthesky.com/

check out the song Give It All Away here
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009WVQJ/qid%3D1121197166/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-0702038-0550317"]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009WVQJ/qid%3D1121197166/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-0702038-0550317[/ame]

i have the cd if you want a copy.

I have a live show from Sexploitation on video...I found it Corny as hell....haha Trying to be like the Chili Peppers....it was a bigtime worthless band....HAHA!!!...well that's my opinion.

Bill yeah I'll take a copy for sure!
Thanks!


For all you HOLY SOLDIER fans:

http://www.holysoldier.com/

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 12, 2005 03:45 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font>

Raggz - 'Last Train' and 'Inwire' mp3s would be
mint - Cheers! There's always a Gig-or-so free at
the 'outsider' address, so email away to your
(straw) heart's content.

Bill - All I've got is Sexploitation's 3 track demo,
and a load of photographs. Sadly, my Boston-based
trader died a few years ago, so hence, if there's
more material, I've yet to hear it.

They were good, yes. Their stage-wear was magnificent:
everything from gold sequined skirts to wedding
dresses, real blood, and body make-up.

During their era, they gigged a lot with bands
like Seven League Boots. Maybe tracking down the
Boots will unearth more Sexploitation material. I
doubt it though - it has been 15 years, after all.

D.

No problems Darren...I'll set ya up in the morning for sure. That Last Train album is awesome and I may add, OUT OF PRINT.

'Out of Print' is bollox, as we both know. If a
(Photoshop?) file has been created, it'll remain
created forever, unless it's been deleted from
its artist's harddrive - but why would they want
to do that? It's an integral part of their port-
folio?

D.

<font color="#FF0000" size="1">[ July 13, 2005 04:58 AM: Message edited by: IH Rich Rags ]</font>

Quote:

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Originally posted by A Katt Named Raggz:
Stryper is cool....I like their stuff.

Other notable Christian bands:

Bride
Novella
Hero
Guardian
Red Sea
Fear Not
Holy Soldier
Worlds Apart
Broken Silence
The Brave

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 02:47 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font></font>

<font color="#FF0000"><font size="1">[ July 12, 2005 02:49 PM: Message edited by: A Katt Named Raggz ]</font></font>

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<font size="4" face="Arial">sorry to keep the stryper topic fresh but I wanted to ask Raggz if he's ever heard of Plankeye ?? They're a pretty cool band and they labeled themselves as being a x-tian band or at least they did back in the day... mxpx was also considered christian til they hit the "secular" market .....